Following the incident, Sheffield's senior coroner suspended her investigation pending the police inquiry, later issuing a report advocating for the use of neck guards in the sport.

Petgrave expressed gratitude for the support he received during the legal process, while the decision not to prosecute may still be subject to review under the UK's Victims' Right to Review scheme.

Johnson's family, who witnessed the accident via live stream, described their shock and emphasized the profound loss felt by the hockey community.

During the investigation, Petgrave initiated a crowdfunding campaign to cover his legal costs, pledging to donate any leftover funds to hockey safety initiatives.

Detective Chief Inspector Benjamin Wood acknowledged the complexity of the investigation and expressed condolences to Johnson's family, highlighting the ongoing impact of the tragedy.

Adam Johnson, a 29-year-old player for the Nottingham Panthers, tragically died on October 28, 2023, after a collision during a game with Sheffield Steelers defenseman Matt Petgrave, resulting in a fatal injury to his neck.

Despite receiving immediate medical treatment, Johnson succumbed to his injuries, which were described by his team as a 'freak accident' witnessed by approximately 8,000 spectators.

In the wake of Johnson's death, tributes flooded in from the hockey community, with his jersey number 47 being retired by the Nottingham Panthers in his honor.

Petgrave, who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, received support from some of Johnson's teammates, including Victor Björkung, who emphasized that the incident was not intentional.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service concluded that there was not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offense after a thorough investigation, leading to the decision not to charge Petgrave.

The investigation, conducted by South Yorkshire Police, involved extensive inquiries, including video footage review and consultations with North American experts.

In response to the incident, while the Elite Ice Hockey League did not mandate neck guards, they strongly encouraged players to wear them, and similar measures were adopted in the U.S. for high school hockey players.